Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the back to education allowance can be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49439/21]
View answerThe person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) payment from 31/08/2021. He made an application for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) on 30/09/2021 to pursue the 4th year of a Computer Science degree which had commenced in Maynooth University on 22/09/2021.
There are a number of qualifying criteria for receipt of BTEA for the Third Level option. One of these is that the applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for a minimum of 9 months and the applicant must also be entering the 1st year of a course of study. As the person concerned did not meet either of these qualifying conditions, his BTEA application was disallowed.
The person concerned was advised of this decision on 01/10/2021 and afforded the opportunity to request a review if he was dissatisfied with the decision.
The person concerned subsequently requested a review. In order to carry out this review supporting documentation has been requested from the person concerned. When this documentation has been received a review will be undertaken and he will be advised of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
